DEERPARK, NY — On August 14, a Deerpark resident entered pleas of not guilty in Deerpark Town Court to charges related to the illegal commercialization of trout. The arraignment followed a months-long investigation stemming from a tip alleging the subject was selling trout by the Neversink River in Orange County.

Environmental Conservation Officers confirmed the operation by going to the individual’s social media page, where the subject had posted prices, information about fish preparation, and instructions on where and when to meet up for purchases.

Investigators set up an undercover operation and purchased wild trout in vacuum-sealed bags and freshly caught brook trout from the subject. Following the purchases, officers executed a search warrant at the subject’s residence and seized approximately 40 pounds of trout valued at $745.

It is illegal to sell trout in New York State, as well as Atlantic salmon, black bass, walleye, muskellunge, and venison.